3-Day Bible Reading Plan - “Does the Bible Promote Patriarchy?”
“It is difficult to answer this question with a simple “yes” or “no” answer. There are two reasons for this. First, the term “patriarchy” has a wide range of meanings. If we break the word down to its Latin roots, it simply means “ruling father.” The way this term is used currently shows a broader meaning. Several authors have advised that the term should be abandoned because its meaning is not widely agreed upon. Second, in our current culture, authority has a negative connotation. Authority is associated with implying inferiority and inevitably creating oppression. The idea is that if someone has authority over me, it makes me less than them and will lead them to abuse me in some way. These two factors make answering this question in a simple way tough. We run the risk of being both misunderstood and offensive. I believe that the best path forward is to look at how the Bible describes the inner workings of the family unit in its own terms.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 8/4/24
Day 1
Featured Verse: Ephesians 5:22-24 - “Wives Submit to Your Husbands”
Cross References:
Titus 2:3-5 - “Train the Young Women to [be]...Submissive to Their Own Husbands”
Why do the young women need to be trained by older women to be submissive to their own husbands? In what ways has God given women a unique ministry that men cannot do?
Colossians 1:18 - “He is the Head of the Body, the Church”
Christ is preeminent in all things, which means everything in creation gets its marching orders from the King of Creation. Why does it seem easy to submit to Christ yet it often rankles to submit to a husband? Consider: a woman who refuses to submit to her husband—except he be in sin—is disobedient before the Lord. For a wife with a husband who expects her to sin, she is to obey the Lord Jesus above him.
Philippians 2:10-11 - “At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Should Bow”
One day, every knee will bow and submit at the name of Jesus for the glory of God the Father. In what ways can you more fully submit and glorify Him today?
“It is a mercy to have a faithful friend that loveth you entirely...to whom you may open your mind and communicate your affairs...And it is a mercy to have so near a friend to be a helper to your soul and...to stir up in you the grace of God.” - Richard Baxter
Day 2
Featured Verse: 1 Peter 3:1-7 - “Won Without a Word by the Conduct of Their Wives”
Cross References:
1 Timothy 2:9-10 - “What is Proper for Women who Profess Godliness”
How should a woman who professes godliness act whether or not she’s married? How should a man who professes godliness act whether or not he is married?
1 Peter 3:4 - “The Hidden Person of the Heart”
A woman’s true godly beauty is not her outward appearance, but the “hidden person of the heart.” Peter calls this a gentle and quiet spirit. How might this “gentle and quiet spirit” of godly femininity manifest in a woman’s heart?
Proverbs 31:10-31 - “She is Far More Precious Than Jewels”
Notice the woman of Proverbs 31 is working, active, and proactive. She is the glory of her husband and he is her praise. In what ways can a godly woman strive to “surpass” all other excellent women?
“A gracious wife satisfieth a good husband, and silenceth a bad one.” - George Swinnock
“The man whose heart is endeared to the woman he loves...dreams of her in the night, hath her in his eye and apprehension when he awakes, museth on her as he sits at the table, walks with her when he travels...She lies in his bosom, and his heart trusts in her, which forceth all to confess that the stream of his affection, like a mighty current, runs with full tide and strength.” - Thomas Hooker
Day 3
Featured Verse: Colossians 3:18-25 - “Submit…as is Fitting in the Lord”
Cross References:
Luke 2:51 - “He…Was Submissive to Them”
Christ is the ultimate example of submission for His people. Not only did He submit to the will of the Father, but He submitted to the will of His earthly parents as well. How might Christ be the example for children to obey their parents in all things?
Romans 8:7 - “The Mind That is Set on the Flesh is Hostile to God”
Those who practice sin do not—and cannot—submit to God. They are enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6; 2 Peter 2:19). It is incredibly difficult to remain godly when one’s spouse is ungodly. Submission does not mean being a doormat to one’s spouse. The godly partner will often need to create godly boundaries—and stand firm to keep them come what may. How might a godly man or woman navigate an unequally yoked marriage (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
Luke 10:17-20 - “The Demons are Subject to Us in Your Name!”
If demons hate God and wish to wreak havoc upon Him and His creation, why do they obey Him and flee at the name of Jesus? How might the hierarchy of the spiritual realm and the submission of demons to Christ give you a greater insight into submission overall?
“When men and women are about to be married how much of life then trembles in the balances! Upon the choice of a partner in life the fashion of that life may depend. Whether self or Christ, the world or God, shall be the master-motive of the household, may be decided by the finger which wears the plain gold ring.” - Charles Spurgeon